Control means for textile producing machines

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to means for controlling the operation of components associated with a knitting or weaving machine, in response to the motion or absence of motion thereof. The components particularly, though illustratively, described are storage feeders associated with knitting or weaving machines whose operation is controlled so that their storage drums are prevented from being rotated when the knitting or weaving machine is not in operation. Generator means or other electrical means responsive to the condition of the knitting or weaving machine energizes a solenoid which closes a normally open switch separating the storage feeder from its power supply. When the knitting or weaving machine is out of operation, the solenoid is de-energized and the normally open switch prevents power from being supplied to the storage feeder.

United States Patent Tellerman 51*Jan. 29, 1974 [54] CONTROL MEANS FORTEXTILE 3,625,243 12/1971 Hansen 139/336 PRODUCING MACHINES 75 Inventor:Edward M. Tel1erman,Woodmere, Primwy Emmin@rHenry Jaudon N Y Attorney,Agent, or Firm-Henry R. Lerner [73] Assignee: Stop-Motion DevicesCorporation,

Plainview, NY. [57] ABSTRACT 1 1 Notice: The Portion of the term of thisThe disclosure relates to means for controlling the Patent to 1990,operation of components associated with a knitting or has beendlsclalmedweaving machine, in response to the motion or ab- [22] Filed;Jam 12, 1973 sence of motion thereof. The components particularly,

Appl. No.: 323,310

Related US. Application Data STORAGE STORAGE FEEDER FEEDER thoughillustratively, described are storage feeders associated with knittingor weaving machines whose operation is controlled so that their storagedrums are prevented from being rotated when the knitting or weavingmachine is not in operation. Generator means or other electrical meansresponsive to the condition of the knitting or weaving machine energizesa solenoid which closes a normally open switch separating the storagefeeder from its power supply. When the knitting or weaving machine isout of operation, the solenoid is de-energized and the normally openswitch prevents power from being supplied to the storage feeder.

7 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAH 2 9 1974 FIG. I.

FIG, 2.

10 STORAGE STORAGE STORAGE FEEDER FEEDER FEEDER KNITTING ORWEAVINGMACHINE DRIVE MOTOR CONTROL MEANS FOR TEXTILE PRODUCING MACHINESCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a continuation-in-partof my Patent application Ser. No. 169,205, filed Aug. 5, 1971, now Pat.No. 3,710,595 issued Jan. 16, 1973.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to means forcontrolling the operation of components associated with textileproducing apparatus, particularly knitting and weaving machines. Aknitting or weaving machine is provided with a plurality of components,some of which should desirably be operable only when the machine is inmotion, while other components should desirably be operated only whenthe machine is stopped. Such components may include yarn fault detectingmechanisms, audible and visible signalling devices, and many others.

The present invention is particularly applicable, however, forcontrolling the operation of yarn storage and feeding devices used inassociation with textile producing apparatus, particularly knitting andweaving machines.

In a knitting machine, the supply of yarn is in the form of a pluralityof yarn cones with the yarn being drawn from the cone by the needles. Asthe yarn is drawn off the cone, it undergoes substantial variations intension due to the manner in which the yarn package is formed on thecone and unwound therefrom. Furthermore, the yarn supplied from any onecone is likely to be under different tension from that supplied to theneedles at the same time from any of the other cones, resulting in theproduction of goods which are nonuniform, inferior in quality, and oftenconsidered as being defective. Efforts have previously been made toresolve the problems pointed out above by providing an intermediate yarnstorage device disposed between the yarn cone and the needles. Examplesof such storage device are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,225,446 and3,419,225, each of which discloses the use of a drum of substantiallyuniform diameter which is rotated so as to tangentially wind apredetermined quantity of yarn thereon, which yarn is subsequentlywithdrawn axially from the drum. In this way all of the yarn from thecone is rewound around the uniform diameter storage drum and, beingwithdrawn axially from the drum, the tension of the yarn is reduced toas near zero as possible, with the same condition simultaneouslyprevailing in all other yarns axially withdrawn, each from its ownstorage drum.

A similar storage device has also found useful application inassociation with weaving machines as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,411,548,the use of such storage feeder substantially improving the quality ofthe woven product by removing from the weft yarn supply theirregularities pointed out above.

While said storage devices constitute substantial improvement, they arenot entirely free of deficiencies. More specifically, while the yarntension condition has been measurably improved by the tangential windingabout the rotating drum and axial withdrawing therefrom, new problemshave arisen which contribute to the production of less than whollyuniform goods. This is due to the fact that the conditions under whichthe yarn is wound onto and unwound from the storage feeder during theknitting or weaving process are continuously varying. More specifically,under a first condition, the yarn is wound onto the rotating storagedrum while the knitting or weaving machine is in operation, causingsimultaneous withdrawal of the yarn. Under such first condition, thereis no twist imparted to the yarn, which condition is the ideal one. Onthe other hand, however, under another condition, yarn may be wound ontothe storage drum while the knitting or weaving machine is not inoperation so that subsequent withdrawal of such yarn will have a twistimparted thereto, causing the production of goods which fall short ofbeing entirely uniform.

It is therefore an object of this invention to prevent imparting twistto the yarn to be knit or woven by providing control means which preventrotation of the storage drum on the storage feeder when the knitting orweaving machine is not in operation. In this way, yarn will be woundonto the rotating storage drum only while such machine is in operationpreventing twist from being imparted to the knit yarn.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, there isprovided control means responsive to the condition of the knitting orweaving machine for controlling the operation of components associatedtherewith.

In accordance with a more specific aspect of the invention, there isprovided control means responsive to the motion of the knitting orweaving machine for controlling the operation of one or more of thestorage feeders associated therewith. There is provided, therefore, inaccordance with the invention, a device which generates a voltage inresponse to the motion of the knitting or weaving machine. Suchgenerating device could be a conventional DC generator geared in withthe drive motor, or directly to the associated machine, or to any otherelement whose movement corresponds to that of the machine. The output ofsuch generator energizes a solenoid which closes a normally open switchfor permitting power to be supplied to one or more. of the storagefeeders associated with the knitting or weaving machine. Thus, when theknitting or weaving machine drive is discontinued, the generatorresponsive to the drive will not generate a voltage sufficient to retainthe control solenoid energized, thereby leading to the opening of theswitch which prevents power from being supplied to the storage feeders.Thus, unless the machine is in motion, no power can be supplied to thestorage feeder leading the storage feeders to operate under thedesirable condition, namely, the condition wherein the storage drum canrotate only when the associated machine is in motion.

In accordance with another specific embodiment of the invention, thegenerator responsive to the motion of the knitting or weaving machineprovides the triggering current for a transistor amplifier so that thelatter becomes conductive in response to rotation of the knitting orweaving machine. When the transistor amplifier is conductive, itenergizes the solenoid thereby maintaining in closed condition theswitch which controls the power supply for the storage feeders.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit diagramof the control means in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of another embodiment thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring nowto the drawings,and particularly FIG.

1, there is shown a plurality of yarn storage devices of a type similarto those described in previously mentioned US. Pat. Nos. 3,225,446 and3,419,225. These storage devices are provided with storage drums whichare powered for rotation to enable tangential winding of yarn thereonwhich is subsequently axially withdrawn on their way to the knittingmachine needles or on their way to forming the weft of the woven fabric,as the case may be. A power supply 12 provides the requisite power forrotating the respective storage drums of storage devices 10 and switch14 is biased into normally open position shown by the dashed lines, andmovable to a closed position shown by the full lines in response to theenergization of solenoid 16. Reference number 18 represents a generatorwhich could be a conventional DC generator geared in with the knittingor weaving machine drive motor, or directly to the machine, or to anyother element whose movement corresponds to that of the associatedmachine. Accordingly, when the knitting or weaving machine is inoperation, generator 18 will generate a voltage causing current flowthrough solenoid 16 which in turn causes closing of switch 14. Thus,when such machine is in operation, the storage feeders are all connectedto power supply 12 to operate in their normally intended manner whereinthe respective storage drums can have yarn wound thereon while themachine is in operation. In the event that the knitting or weavingmachine ceases to operate for whatever reason, generator 18 will notgenerate sufficient power to energize solenoid 16 whereby switch 14 willassume its normally open condition preventing the storage feeders frombeing energized. Accordingly, no storage feeder will be able to have itsstorage drum rotated for winding yarn thereon while the machine is outof operation, preventing the formation of twist in the yarn being knitor woven. An adjustable resistor 20 defines a current limiting resistorto prevent energization of solenoid 16 in response to slight incidentalmotion of the knitting or weaving machine, if desired.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the voltage generated by generator 18 inresponse to the motion of the knitting or weaving machine will providecurrent flow through the triggering leg of transistor amplifier 22rendering the latter conductive with direct current from DC supply 24providing sufficient current flow for energizing solenoid l6.Energization of solenoid 16, as in FIG. 1, retains switch 14 in closedcondition for connecting power supply 12 to the respective storagefeeders 10. Upon interruption of the knitting or weaving machine, therewill be insufficient power generated by generator 18 interrupting theconduction of transistor amplifier 22, in turn de-energizing solenoid 16and opening switch 14. The opening of switch 14 prevents power frombeing furnished to the respective storage feeders whereby theirrespective storage drums cannot have yarn thereon while the knitting orweaving machine is interrupted.

Variable resistor 28 is for the purpose of selectively controlling theamount of motion permissible before transistor amplifier 22 becomesconductive and solenoid 16 becomes energized. Normally, no permissiblemotion is desirable.

Thus it is seen that there has been provided control means linked to theoperation of the knitting or weaving machine, whereby the interruptionof the machine automatically renders the storage feeders inoperative inorder to prevent yarn from being wound onto the rotating storage drumswhile the knitting or weaving machine is not in operation.

While generator 18 has been described as the instrumentality responsiveto the motion of the knitting or weaving machine, it will be understoodthat other devices, such as reed relays and motion detecting devicescould as well be used. For example, instead of using a generator, therecould be used a coil placed in the vicinity of the drive motor for themachine so that any magnetic field on the motor, when it is driving theknitting machine, will affect the coil so that a signal can be generatedfor effectuating the requisite control of the storage feeders or anyother components whose operation is intended to be controlled.

Further, it will be understood that while there has been described abovea particular system for controlling the operation of storage feeders inresponse to the rotation of the knitting or weaving machine, there areother components associated with the machine whose operation may bedesirably related to the condition of the knitting or weaving machine.Further, some components may desirably be operable only when the machineis in motion, while other components may desirably be operated only whenthe machine is not in mo tion. Accordingly, it is within the scope ofthis invention to have the means responsive to the motion of the machine(or absence of motion of the machine) control the operation of suchother components associated with the knitting or weaving machine such asstop motions, lights, etc.

While I have herein shown and described the preferred embodiments of myinvention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise than as herein specifically illustrated or described, and thatin the illustrated embodiments certain changes in the details ofconstruction and in the form and arrangement of parts may be madewithout departing from the underlying idea or principles of theinvention within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byletters patent is:

1. In a weaving machine provided with a yarn storage feeder having astorage drum for tangentially winding yarn thereon from a yarn supply,which yarn is axially unwound on its way to the weaving machine, theimprovement comprising a. means responsive to the motion of said weavingmachine and operative, when said weaving machine is in motion, toenergize first circuit means,

b. second circuit means adapted, when energized, to

connect a power supply to said storage feeder, and

c. control means in said first circuit means being operative, whende-energized, to interrupt said sec- 0nd circuit means whereby todisconnect said power supply from said storage feeder when said weavingmachine is not in motion.

2. The improvement in accordance with claim 1, wherein said controlmeans in said first circuit means comprise a solenoid, and wherein saidsecond circuit means includes normally open switch means closed inresponse to the energization of said solenoid, whereby thede-energization of said first circuit means including said solenoid, inresponse to the interruption of the weaving machine, automaticallycauses said switch means to assume its normally open position therebydisconnecting said power supply from said storage feeder.

3. The improvement in accordance with claim 1, wherein said meansresponsive to the motion of said weaving machine comprise a DC generatorcoupled to the weaving machine drive.

4. The improvement in accordance with claim 2, wherein said meansresponsive to the motion of said weaving machine comprise a DC generatorcoupled to the weaving machine drive.

5. The improvement in accordance with claim 3, wherein said firstcircuit means includes a transistor amplifier triggered by current flowproduced by said generator, and wherein said control means comprise asolenoid energized when said transistor amplifier is rendered conductiveby said triggering thereof.

6. The improvement in accordance with claim 5, wherein said secondcircuit means includes normally open switch means closed in response tothe energization of said solenoid, whereby the de-energization of saidfirst circuit means including said solenoid, in response to theinterruption of the weaving machine, automatically causes said switchmeans to assume its normally open position thereby disconnecting saidpower supply from said storage feeder.

7. Control means in a weaving machine comprising a. means responsive tothe motion of said weaving machine and operative when said weavingmachine is in motion to control the condition of a first circuit means,

b. second circuit means related to said first circuit means so as to beresponsive to the condition of said first circuit means whereby in turnto be responsive to the condition of the weaving machine, and

c. said second circuit means adapted to control the condition ofelectrical means associated with said weaving machine whereby theoperation of said electrical means associated with said weaving machineis relatcd to the condition of the weaving machine.

1. In a weaving machine provided with a yarn storage feeder having astorage drum for tangentially winding yarn thereon from a yarn supply,which yarn is axially unwound on its way to the weaving machine, theimprovement comprising a. means responsive to the motion of said weavingmachine and operative, when said weaving machine is in motion, toenergize first circuit means, b. second circuit means adapted, whenenergized, to connect a power supply to said storage feeder, and c.control means in said first circuit means being operative, whende-energized, to interrupt said second circuit means whereby todisconnect said power supply from said storage feeder when said weavingmachine is not in motion.
 2. The improvement in accordance with claim 1,wherein said control means in said first circuit means comprise asolenoid, and wherein said second circuit means includes normally openswitch means closed in response to the energization of said solenoid,whereby the de-energization of said first circuit means including saidsolenoid, in response to the interruption of the weaving machine,automatically causes said switch means to assume its normally openposition thereby disconnecting said power supply from said storagefeeder.
 3. The improvement in accordance with claim 1, wherein saidmeans responsive to the motion of said weaving machine comprise a DCgenerator coupled to the weaving machine drive.
 4. The improvement inaccordance with claim 2, wherein said means responsive to the motion ofsaid weaving machine comprise a DC generator coupled to the weavingmachine drive.
 5. The improvement in accordance with claim 3, whereinsaid first circuit means includes a transistor amplifier triggered bycurrent flow produced by said generator, and wherein said control meanscomprise a solenoid energized when said transistor amplifier is renderedconductive by said triggering thereof.
 6. The improvement in accordancewith claim 5, wherein said second circuit means includes normally openswitch means closed in response to the energization of said solenoid,whereby the de-energization of said first circuit means including saidsolenoid, in response to the interruption of the weaving machine,automatically causes said switch means to assume its normally openpoSition thereby disconnecting said power supply from said storagefeeder.
 7. Control means in a weaving machine comprising a. meansresponsive to the motion of said weaving machine and operative when saidweaving machine is in motion to control the condition of a first circuitmeans, b. second circuit means related to said first circuit means so asto be responsive to the condition of said first circuit means whereby inturn to be responsive to the condition of the weaving machine, and c.said second circuit means adapted to control the condition of electricalmeans associated with said weaving machine whereby the operation of saidelectrical means associated with said weaving machine is related to thecondition of the weaving machine.